Rigorously applying the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: A community college case study

• Main Author: Douglas, Katherine P
• Language: ENG
• Published: ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst 2008
• Subjects: Community college education|Higher education
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI3325152

This case study investigated the influence of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) on community college faculty. This study identified a five-phase progressive model of participation, entitled Questing in Conversation for SoTL faculty participants at Four Seasons Community College (FSCC). The results of participation for faculty include stronger connections with colleagues, increased curricula and pedagogical innovations, and the regular collection of student data to inform classroom practice and administrative decisions. These results occurred within an organizational field of practical and philosophical support for faculty development efforts by college administration. This investigation generated three key findings. The first finding is that the influence on SoTL fellows is cumulative and grows from progressive participation in substantial faculty development programs. Second, fellows who engage in their SoTL inquiries with a greater capacity to conduct research connect more strongly with colleagues. Third, SoTL faculty report administrative support is invaluable and is primarily experienced through the Dean of Professional Development and the programs offered through the Office for Faculty and Staff Development.